The state tourism department wants to infuse new life into its much-touted Sabbalpur diara island river project for the second time.

The agency earlier selected for providing the facilities at the Sabbalpur Diara Island River Project has deserted it midway.

The department now plans to issue fresh tenders for selection of firm, which would develop an open-air amphitheatre, children’s amusement park, food plaza, water and other adventure sports and recreational activities (See graphics).

The tourism department’s promises about providing facilities at the sandbar proved hollow this year but the department is keen on giving a never-before riverine experience to the residents of the state capital that would be beyond their expectations.

“We have prepared a fresh plan for developing Sabbalpur diara as a tourist hub under public-private partnership (PPP) mode. To make this project financially feasible for private players, we have reduced the rental charges for the land at the sandbar from Rs 2 per square feet to Rs 2 per square metre. The proposal is in the approval stages and we intend to float the tender for selection of a firm within a week,” said a senior official of the tourism department.

In 2010, Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation gave a fresh look to the sandbar surrounded by river Ganga and Gandak on either sides to regale visitors in the winter.

Last year, deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi inaugurated the sandbar project on December 4. Two temporary food courts with canopy on top, two big and two small open canopy lounges with seating capacity of 18 and eight people respectively were set up at the sandbar.

Later, a city-based event management firm, RK Enterprises, was awarded the work of starting various adventure and water sports along with other recreational activities on a 100x100sqm sandbar at Sabbalpur diara.

The firm, which was awarded the work in the first week of February this year, organised Dolphin Valentine’s Beach Party on February 14. Thereafter, the firm abandoned the project midway.

“As summer had set in after RK Enterprises abandoned the sandbar, no progress could be made about restarting the facilities. The department is now commencing the process for development of the sandbar for the next winter and thus would float fresh tenders to invite new bidders,” said the tourism department official.

The officer said work on this project is likely to start after monsoon ends, which would most probably be around the middle of September and the facilities would open to the public by the end of October.

“We are also in talks with a firm that is willing to provide all-terrain vehicles at the sandbar,” said the official.

The sandbar, situated a few kilometres from the banks of the Ganga at Kali Ghat near Patna University, had been developed as a tourism hub under the aegis of Sabbalpur Diara Island River Project of the state tourism department.